I Am Sonia Sotomayor: Ordinary People Change the World
#4 of 32 in Ordinary People Change the World Series
What’s inside...
Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, is highlighted in the sixteenth picture book of the New York Times bestselling series of biographies about heroes. The book explores Sonia Sotomayor's journey from her childhood in the Bronx to becoming a Supreme Court Justice. It emphasizes her love of learning and commitment to justice, supported by her family and mentors. The biography is designed to be engaging for young nonfiction readers with its lively, conversational narrative and includes a timeline, photos, comic-book-style illustrations, and key childhood influences. The series aims to inspire children to aspire to the heroic traits of figures like Sonia Sotomayor and encourages them to dream big.
Character compass
Sonia Sotomayor
Celina Sotomayor
Discussion points
What do you think makes Sonia Sotomayor a hero?
How did Sonia's choices and actions reflect her values and beliefs?
What challenges did Sonia face, and how did she overcome them?
What do you admire most about Sonia Sotomayor?
If you could ask Sonia one question, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by explaining the significance of Sonia Sotomayor’s role as a Supreme Court Justice to provide context.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Sonia's journey, connecting it to their own experiences or aspirations.
Praise your child for thoughtful responses and insights, fostering an open and positive discussion environment.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to dive deeper into specific themes, such as perseverance, justice, and equality.
Consider exploring more about Sonia Sotomayor online or in other books to further enrich the conversation and learning experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book portrays Sonia Sotomayor's journey from a young girl in the Bronx to a Supreme Court Justice, highlighting her determination to overcome various obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistence and hard work in achieving goals, which they can apply in school projects, learning new skills, or in sports.
Example Lesson: Importance of Education
Explanation: Sonia values her education and works tirelessly to excel academically, understanding that knowledge is a pathway to empowerment and success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take their studies seriously and see education as a valuable asset that can help shape their future.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Justice
Explanation: As Sonia grows, she develops a strong sense of justice and empathy, influenced by her personal experiences and her desire to help others.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to be empathetic towards others' feelings and situations, promoting fairness and kindness in their interactions with peers.
Example Lesson: Diversity and Inclusion
Explanation: Sonia's story emphasizes the significance of diversity and her role as the third woman and first Latina on the Supreme Court.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate and respect people's differences and inspires them to support inclusivity in their own communities.